Savitri: A Tale of Ancient India

by Aaron Shepard, Vera Rosenberry (Illustrator)

Beauty and intelligence were the princess Savitri's, and eyes that shone like the sun. So splendid was she that people thought her a goddess. When at last she found a man worthy to wed her, no one could sway her from her heart's path -- not even the god of death.

This lovely retelling presents a classic tale of devotion, courage, wit, and will from India's national epic, The Mahabharata.

TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.

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Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater.

Vera Rosenberry, a prolific children's book illustrator and author, was born in the U.S. but now lives in the U.K. She was especially interested in illustrating this book because her husband is from India and grew up with tales from The Mahabharata.

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1997 & 2000 California Collection Selection (California Readers)

"Unique and noteworthy. . . . Shepard breathes new life into the sleeping archetype of the Indian heroine. Like ancient heroic myth, [Shepard's interpretation] renews deep strains of potential within the reader." -- Publishers Weekly, Mar. 9, 1992

"A smooth retelling." -- Kirkus Reviews, Feb. 1, 1992

"Delicately rendered in both adaptation and illustration. . . . A book that will open children's eyes and ears to an unfamiliar lore, and provide rich contrast to Western parallels." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Feb. 1992

"Profoundly moving." -- Children's Bookwatch, July 1992

"Will enhance the social studies curriculum." -- Children's Book Review Service, July 1992

"Reads aloud very well. . . . Readers will enjoy the perspicacity and tenacity of this feisty heroine [and] be fascinated by the uniquely Indian cultural details." -- School Library Journal, May 1992

"Portrays a woman of great intelligence and courage, as well as virtue. . . . The story and pictures show great sensitivity to Hindu lore and culture." -- Deva and Gayatri Rajan, Hinduism Today

"Powerfully told, with a magic all its own. Savitri's purity of spirit will touch the hearts of all readers, young and old." -- Meera Lester, India West, Sept. 25, 1992

"A sure candidate for the [California] 6th-grade ancient cultures unit." -- BayViews (Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California), Dec. 1992

"Rich and empowering." -- Rebecca Myers, A. B. Bookman's Weekly, Nov. 9, 1992

"Fresh and respectful. . . . Could be useful as an introduction to Indian classics for young adult readers, in a course on ancient cultures, or in any broad-based collection." -- Fran Stallings, Territorial Tattler, Fall 1993

"Powerful." -- Elaine Weischedel, Lanes Museletter, June 1993

"Shepard writes with an ear for the spoken word." -- The Story Bag Newsletter, Apr.-May 1994

"Looking for a painless dose of Hindu mythology? Here it is, with beautiful illustrations to boot." -- Ours (Adoptive Families of America), July-Aug. 1993

"A lyrical retelling of a beloved Indian tale. Savitri offers vivid and exotic details that make it uniquely memorable." -- Wendy E. Betts, Notes from the Windowsill, Vol. 2, No. 144

Genres: Picture Books, Mythology, India, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Folklore

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1992

About the author

Aaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born to a king who had long prayed for a child, Princess Savitri was both beautiful and wise - so much so that no man dared to ask for her hand in marriage. At her father's instructions, she went out into the world to find a man worthy of her, and she settled upon Prince Satyavan, refusing to renounce him even after she learned from a seer that he had only a year to live. When that year had elapsed and Yama, the god of death, came to claim Satyavan, Savitri followed after, winning three wishes from the deity in reward for her devotion. Through these wishes, and through her cleverness, she brought blessings on her father and father-in-law, and she won back her beloved...

According to author Aaron Shepard's brief note, the story of Princess Savitri is a popular episode from The Mahabharata , one of the great epic poems and story cycles of ancient India, and a sacred text in the Hindu religion. This retelling of the tale was Shepard's first children's book, and it is immensely engaging. Savitri is an appealing heroine, and her story reminded me of tales from various other traditions, in which spouses sought to win their loved one back from death. In the west, the most famous of these is the Greek myth of Orpheus and Euridyce, which ended in a far less happy way than that of Savitri and Satyavan. The accompanying artwork here, done by Vera Rosenberry, was quite lovely. Recommended to young folklore and mythology lovers in general, and to anyone looking for children's retellings of Hindu myths, specifically.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-known and -loved Indian tale adapted from The Mahabharata, which is explained in a historical note from the author as India’s greatest national epic, Savitri tells of a princess who selects a worthy and virtuous man to marry, despite a prophesy that he will die in a year. When that day comes, Savitri matches wits with Yama, the god of death, to restore her father-in-law’s sight and kingdom, ensure more children for her father, and ultimately return her husband’s life and soul. Readers grades 3-6 will admire Savitri for her cleverness and independence, while gaining exposure to Indian culture, including through ink and watercolor illustrations inspired by traditional Indian painting style.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wise and devout princess saves her unfortunate husband from death in this tale from the Mahabharata.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. The story line is tight. Great addition to our study of Ancient India in year 1/first grade.

[Astra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that Yama is the god of death and Savitri is the goddess of the sun. I liked it so much because the princess in the book is actually very witting, and it's hard to find a story like this where the princess saves the prince instead of the classic history thing where the prince saved the princess.

[Josette · Rating 4 out of 5]

We checked this out from the library to go along w/ our study of Medieval India. Very well told and beautiful illustrations.

[Juliette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Indian tale about a woman named Savitri who tries to trick Yama the God of death into giving her husband back his life.

K-5

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: 6-10 years

The artwork's not the best but the story consists of dedication and perseverance against the odds to save a loved one.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale found in The Mahabharata, which is like the Old Testament for Hindus. It is a wonderful enthralling story and my girls asked for it over and over.